LEARNING FROM ONE ANOTHER IN NS COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE

Officially, Major (MAJ) (NS) Michael Hua is the top graduate of the 9th National Service Command and Staff Course (NSCSC). Speak to him, though, and you will find that he believes this recognition should be one shared by various other individuals.

"While I may receive this award, it's not an award for the individual," he said. "I receive it as a representative of the course and my unit."

Throughout the course, which is conducted annually to groom Operationally Ready National Service officers for higher command and staff appointments, MAJ (NS) Hua felt that the participants learnt a lot about themselves and from one another.

Doing work collectively helped him and his course mates play on one another's strengths. This reinforced communication, positively influencing decision-making.

Like the 29 other NS officers who graduated, MAJ (NS) Hua acknowledged the strain placed by his NS commitments on his family.

Sharing in his valedictory speech, the Second-in-Command of 688th Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment said: "When we get called up (for NS), our wives get 'called up', too."

The NSCSC is an intensive course that comprises a seven-month correspondence course and a five-week residential phase. Despite these heavy commitments for what is perhaps the most academically intensive course available for NSmen, the graduands of the course felt that their sacrifices and those of their families were worthwhile.

Speaking to cyberpioneer, MAJ (NS) Chua Kim Peng expressed his gratitude to his wife for her support throughout his absence.

"My family has always supported me from young and this time is no different. I think it's commendable for wives to support their husbands who are fulfilling their NS responsibilities."

Said MAJ (NS) Chua's wife, Ng Lee Keng: "It's natural that wives may not be aware because they're less involved in NS, but we should still offer our husbands our support."

What these men take away from the course are not so much the combat manoeuvres and war tactics that they learnt, but a "network of good friends from NS, committed to keeping in touch," as MAJ (NS) Chong Soon Yong put it.

The trained lawyer finds this invaluable. "They form the core of friends with whom we can share knowledge and generate ideas, be it for personal matters or for NS and defence."

The 30 NS officers received their graduation certificates from Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen at a ceremony held at the Istana on 21 Nov.

In his speech, Dr Ng paid tribute to the contributions of NSmen, their families as well as their employers.

"With family and employer support, our NSmen will be able to focus on their role in defence and NS responsibilities with the assurance that all things will be well on the home and work fronts."